Press

On 1 December 2008, Eurex Clearing successfully connected to the TARGET2 European payment transaction system. This connection enables all clearing customers based in a euro zone country to maintain cash accounts required for clearing through Eurex Clearing AG at a euro zone national bank of their choice. The service allows Eurex Clearing customers to pool their liquidity and provides enhanced refinancing opportunities within their home market. Clearing payments via TARGET2 also contributes to greater settlement security and market efficiency. Until now, Eurex Clearing customers have had to maintain an account at the Bundesbank for euro payment transactions.

Thomas Book, Eurex Executive Board member responsible for clearing, said, “The connection to the European TARGET2 system strengthens the integrity of the clearing house. Settlement in central bank money of payment transactions offers maximum security for all participants. TARGET2 supports this approach with an automated cross-border euro zone real-time system.”

Clearstream Banking Frankfurt (CBF), which also belongs to Deutsche Börse Group, successfully migrated its cash settlement process to TARGET2 as of 17 November 2008.

Further information
TARGET2 (Trans-European Automated Real-time Gross Settlement Express Transfer System) was established in 2007 by the European Central Bank as a pan-European payment system for the common currency. At a national level, all euro countries were connected in various stages by May 2008. The TARGET2 system is a uniform platform, enabling efficient pan-European payment transaction in euro and connecting the participating national central banks as well as the European Central Bank.